'You are my Christmas': Donnalyn Bartolome pens sweet message to brother with mental health issues
While most of our local celebrities celebrated Christmas with their nearest and dearest in their brightly-decorated homes, Donnalyn Bartolome decided to visit her deceased grandmother in the cemetery with her brother Jay, who she penned a sweet holiday greeting to.
In an Instagram post, Donnalyn posted pictures of her and Jay lying beside their grandmother Jocelyn's grave. In her caption, she revealed that her brother had been dealing with inner demons for the past few years now.
"My brother has been suffering with his mental health for years and I’m so grateful you are still here with me. Thank you for fighting, I love you so much. Isa ka sa reason bakit ko ginagalingan at gagalingan pa," Donnalyn wrote.
She shared that Jay was the smartest sibling out of the five of them. As the eldest, she wanted to keep up with him, which was why he had inspired her to become a hard worker.
"I was afraid you wouldn't look up to me so you must know and everyone should too, that I wouldn't be anywhere near where I am if you weren't there for me to look up to so I can be someone you looked up to," Donnalyn wrote.
"I’m not letting you go, Jay! It’s me and you forever! My Christmas is a merry one because you’re with me—visiting Lolay on Christmas Day," she added.
She cheered on her brother to never surrender to his problems. She also encouraged others who know someone struggling with inner issues to also support them through these rough times.
"To everyone who has loved ones suffering mentally, hold them close, and be patient with them. It hurts sometimes, but nothing hurts more than losing them. [L]ife is so short, we should only have room for love. Merry Christmas ulit everyone!" she ended.
Many of Donnalyn's supporters showered them with holiday greetings, and some even shared that they sympathize with Jay as they too are also being plagued by mental health issues.
"Hanggang ngayon, nagsa-suffer pa rin ako sa halo-halong trauma ng buhay ko at nagsa-suffer ako sa mental health ko," one user commented.
Another one wrote, "Mag-two years na rin akong suffering sa mental health, pero kumakapit ako sa Panginoon kaya nakakaya ko."
Others said, "Don't give up, everything is just a challenge and it will pass by. Have a blessed Christmas with your brother, let the healing and comfort of our Father be upon him."